Transcribed by Mary Ann Kaylor
Page 1224:
FITZPATRICK, PATRICK (deceased) - In the death of the late Patrick Fitzpatrick, Springfield, Ill., lost a substantial and useful citizen. Mr. Fitzpatrick was for over fifty years identified with the business interests of the city, and by his own efforts and industry accumulated considerable property. He was well known and greatly respected, both for his public enterprise and as a private citizen, and on his taking away was deeply mourned by many friends. Mr. Fitzpatrick was born in Carlinstown, County Meath, Ireland, the third child of Thomas and Mary (Blythe) Fitzpatrick, both of whom died in Ireland. The father was a cattle dealer in County Meath and died about 1862, aged about seventy-five years. He and his wife had eight children, seven of whom reached maturity and six of these came to the United States. Of these children, Stephen, a school teacher, died in County Meath, Ireland; Bridget, Mrs. Thaddeus Manning, died in Springfield; Margaret, born in 1832, came to the United States at the age of twenty-two years, landing in Philadelphia, in 1856 was married in Springfield (whither she came in 1855), by the Rev. Frank McIlhearn, at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, to Daniel Kelly, a native of Dungarvan, County Waterford, Ireland. Mr. Kelly dying of February 16, 1892; Hugh, died young; Julia, married Edward Farrell, a native of Navan, County Meath, Ireland, who died in Springfield, December 14, 1897; Thomas, married in Springfield, Mary Smith.
As a boy Patrick Fitzpatrick had few educational advantages, attending school only at odd times until he was seventeen years of age, when he left his native country, crossing to England. There he worked for two years on the docks at Liverpool, when he sailed for what he believed to be the "Land of Promise." He had but little money when he landed in New York City, but made his way to Williamsburg, N. Y., where he was employed by a firm in manufacturing soap and candles, remaining two and a half years in that city, curing which time his first marriage took place. He was married at the Church of SS. Peter and Paul, Brooklyn, by Rev. Sylvester Malone, to Mary Hopkins, a native of Tuam, County Galway, Ireland. They had no children.
Leaving Williamsburg, Mr. Fitzpatrick went to Philadelphia, where for three years he was employed in the street car stables. He then located in Springfield, Ill., arriving in that city in May, 1855 and soon after began working for the Post Brothers, grain dealers. He was later employed in the hardware store of B. L. Fox, and still later in the general store of John Williams & Company, remaining with the latter firm eighteen years and leaving to go into business for himself.
Mrs. Fitzpatrick died May 6, 1891, and Mr. Fitzpatrick married (second) October 4, 1892, Miss Margaret A. Walsh, the marriage taking place at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Yonkers, N. Y., the ceremony being performed by Rev. Charles R. Corely. One child was born of this second marriage - Florence Marie. The first Mrs. Fitzpatrick was a devout member of St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church, of which Mr. Fitzpatrick was trustee for eighteen years.
Mr. Fitzpatrick was engaged fifteen years in the grocery business on his own account, at the corner of Spring and Cook Streets, but retired from active business in 1900. He purchased a lot at 113 West Cook Street on which he erected a residence in1856. His death occurred February 11, 1908, at eight-one years of age. A man of fine physique and of high mental ability, he was well fitted for business life, being naturally energetic and possessed of excellent health. He was the founder of his own fortune, having made his own way in life from the age of seventeen years, and by availing himself of his opportunities, became the owner of considerable real estate.